June 01, 2006

Headlines (5:50)Hans Blix Blames US for Nuclear Proliferation
As Iran rejects potential talks with the US over its nuclear program, former UN Weapons Inspector Hans Blix said today that the US’s unwillingness to cooperate in international arms agreements was undermining efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons. Blix made the comment in the introduction of a Commission report handed to UN General Secretary Kofi Annan today. The report concluded that quote “an increased U.S. skepticism regarding the effectiveness of international institutions and instruments, coupled with a drive for freedom of action to maintain an absolute global superiority in weaponry is undermining efforts to curb nuclear proliferation.

Darfur Deadline Passes
A deadline set by African Union mediators for the two remaining rebel groups in the Darfur region to sign a peace agreement has expired. Joshua Kyalimpa reports.

Chavez Hosts OPEC Meeting
Oil markets were jittery around the world as the world’s oil producers met today at the OPEC conference hosted by Venezuela and President. Naomi Fowler reports.

Exxon Mobil Rejects LGTB Anti-Discrimination Protections
Exxon Mobil shareholders vote for the 7th year in a row not to include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender workers in the company’s anti-discrimination policy. Rebecca Myles files this report.

Judge Orders US Government Explain Surveillance
A federal judge has given the Bush administration just three weeks to indicate whether it was conducting surveillance of confidential attorney client discussions between people who were detained immediately following the 9/11 attacks and their attorneys. The ruling orders former Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert Mueller and government attorneys to admit or deny whether they are aware of any monitoring or surveillance of communications. Mike Winger, with Covington and Burling, is one of the attorneys in the case.

VISA Expires for Hondurans and Nicaraguans
Tens of thousands of Honduran and Nicaraguan immigrants nationwide risk losing their legal status in the United States today if they have not renewed their temporary work permits under a program to help victims of natural disasters. It is feared that some mistakenly believe they are on the path to becoming a U.S. citizens. Only half of the eligible applicants have yet to apply for renewal. They could lose their jobs and face deportation if they miss today’s deadline.

FeaturesIran Rejects the US Conditions for Talk (3:55)
Iranian Foreign Minister Motaki has responded to a U.S. negotiations offer by stating that Iran will not give up what it calls its right to enrich uranium, but is ready to hold talks with the United States. Analysts say that despite this outcome, the very fact that some exchange happened presents a major breakthrough since the two countries did not talk for 27 years, ever since the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979. Anastasia Gnezditskaia reports from Washington, DC.

Iraqis Say Haditha-Style Massacres Commonplace (3:40)
The U.S. military ordered commanders to hold ethics trainings today, in response to increasing outrage over reports that U.S. Marines killed 24 unarmed civilians in the Western Iraqi town of Haditha last year. In explaining the decision, Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, said 99.9 percent of the roughly 150,000 US-led troops in Iraq are performing magnificently daily; and that they do the right thing even when no one is watching. But many Iraqis say massacres like the one in Haditha are all too common in U.S.-occupied Iraq. FSRN’s Aaron Glantz and Salam Talib report.

New Orleans Levees Not Ready for Hurricane Season (3:50)
Today marks the official start of the hurricane season – and the city of New Orleans does not have levees sufficient to protect it if another major storm hits. Yet hundreds of thousands of people have moved back to New Orleans, and more say that they are coming back. Christian Roselund files this report.

Ugandan President Asks for US to Coordinate LRA Chief Manhunt (3:44)
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has asked the US to facilitate Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and the UN to agree on a joint manhunt for LRA rebel Chief, Joseph Kony, who is suspected to be hiding out in the Congolese Garamba National Park. Museveni says while the Ugandan Army had the capacity to repel any attacks, the obstacle was Lords Resistance Army rebels roaming free in Congo. Emmanuel Okella reports from Kampala, Uganda.

FBI Admits it Approached Local Portland Employee (3:20)
Portland Mayor Tom Potter has made public an attempt by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to make contact with a source inside the local City Hall. The FBI acknowledged that one of their agents had approached a city employee, but said the agency is not currently investigating Portland city government. FSRN’s Julie Sabatier has the story.